Choking Flow in Supercritical Fluids

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In 2002, the Generation IV international forum formed by 10 countries has identified six different nuclear power technologies, which should compete with the energy conversion systems that are expected to be available in the near future. Comparative advantages of new reactors beside the existing ones include enhanced safety operation, minimal generation of waste as well as reduction of both risk of weapons proliferation and greenhouse gas emissions. In order to maintain and further develop a leadership in the international nuclear industry arena, Canada is committed in playing an important role in the nuclear reactor R&D international program. Since future Canadian nuclear power reactors must have the capability of being refueled under operation, the Supercritical-Water-Cooled Reactor is being considered by the Canadian nuclear industry as the most appropriate one among all proposed technologies. Thus, the design of future supercritical nuclear power reactors will be similar to the well-known CANDU system. It is also important to mention that the use of supercritical water coolant will permit to increase the overall system thermal efficiency. Hence, supercritical nuclear reactors will successfully compete with existing fossil fuel supercritical boilers by assuring much lower environmental impacts. The Canadian industry is considering that by the year 2040 the SCWR technology will replace the Generation III Advanced CANDU nuclear reactors. Therefore, a research priority has recently been established in order to start carrying out fundamental investigations and to collect data needed for designing the nuclear reactors of the future. Within this framework, this proposal presents a research program intended to study experimentally choking flow phenomenon using water under supercritical conditions. To this aim a small supercritical water loop will be constructed to carry out a three-fold research work consisting of: i) design and construct a supercritical test facility, ii) conduct commissioning tests, iii) carry out supercritical choking flow experiments, data analysis and modelling.